Crushing (feelings of) Inadequacy

[LittleWyvern]

I feel ashamed.

I feel ashamed for even needing or wanting to type this post.

As many of you may have already gleaned from my introductory post, I am going to serve a mission very soon, about 3 months from now. Every time I hear this amount of time, as it quickly shortens, it scares me tremendously.

Why? In my quest to be better prepared for my mission, I have started to look for role models, examples of good missionary service. I have found plenty in the scriptures, all a model of absolute perfection in their work, service, and knowledge. I have long since accepted the fact that I will never be that good, but these people are good people to look up to regardless. I recently have also been looking toward those either very close to serving on their mission or already have in my ward. And it scares me how, without fail, all of these people are leagues beyond me in both spiritual strength and knowledge. 'Oh no,' I think, 'I must be horribly behind!'

So, my knee-jerk reaction to this is to gather every source of information I can about serving a mission successfully and inhaling them. In what may rightfully be termed as a moment of panic, I bought 3 books on missionary prep at one time from the BYU bookstore (and thank goodness that I can find such books at a bookstore so close by!) I figure that if I am ever to catch up and be successful missionary, I need to cram as spiritual knowledge and strength building activities I can into these 3 short months.

But these reading pursuits are thwarted, mostly, by my location. School work cannot be forgotten, and if I am to keep the scholarship I have received, I need to keep a very good GPA.

And to make matters worse, expectations of me are extremely high. Everybody from my home ward kept on saying how I'll be a great missionary, and a wonderful teacher. The most challenging one comes from my dad, who says that I'll be a better missionary than he was. Before he said that, I never thought such thing was even possible, and I still don't think so now.

So here I sit, feeling crushed under my mission, school, and expectations for complete success. And so I am afraid. What if I fail? What if I let one... thing... slip.... And the worse one: what if I don't succeed on my mission (and that has some eternal consequences, doesn't it?)? So far I've kept up with these expectations, but with the addition of a mission, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with everything. I have no clue how I'll ever get up to the level of excellence I see everywhere before this 3 months is up.

Above all, I feel ashamed for even having to worry about how prepared I am at such a late stage. I don't feel like good, prepared missionaries should have to worry about this at all.

So, before I ask for advice here, let me first apologize to those of you who've I've made read through this post. I really didn't want this to be about me whining about my pathetic problems, and I've tried hard not to write it this way, but given the subject matter I'm sure some if not most of you will take it that way (and rightfully so), and I apologize for that.

The reason I posted this in the advice board (apart from the fact that there's no whine board) is this: does anybody have any advice for this situation? Anything else on mission prep, feeling more confident (although at this point I don't feel like I have much to be confident in...), or feeling more excited about a mission (and not viewing it another big test) would be very helpful and much appreciated.

[RachelleDrew]

Whoah....breathe. : D

First of all, one of the many reasons one goes on a mission is to grow into a place of spiritual maturity. You have been deemed worthy to go on a mission, and that's good enough for now. You don't need to be PERFECT to go on a mission, you don't have to be this amazing missionary before you even get there. You can worry about being good at it later. When you get there

When people make these comments, they aren't really expecting you to baptize 10 people your first week there. I can't imagine that anyone is just spectacular straight out of the gates. They say these things to you because they are trying to get you pumped up and make you feel good about yourself. Nobody is going to be dissapointed in you if you can't even find an investegator when you first get there, or if you get lonely or frustrated after a few months. They are just trying to be supportive of you, but a lot of times when friends and family are showing support, it can build pressure and stress.

The church needs you for this mission, but you also need this mission. The church doesn't expect you to be flawless, and your family doesn't either. Just try and take everything one step at a time and do your BEST. Ultimately, the only expectations you need to meet are those of heavenly father, and so long as you give your best efforts and look to him for guidance then he's going to be pleased with your efforts throughout your mission.

Chill. Relax. : ) Everything is going to be fine.

[LittleWyvern]

Whoah....breathe. : D

First of all, one of the many reasons one goes on a mission is to grow into a place of spiritual maturity. You have been deemed worthy to go on a mission, and that's good enough for now. You don't need to be PERFECT to go on a mission, you don't have to be this amazing missionary before you even get there. You can worry about being good at it later. When you get there

Yes, I realize that I don't need to be perfect, but I feel like I at least need to be... great. The bar has been raised, as they say, and if the bar is anywhere near the level of everybody else around me I'm going to slam my face into it. I suppose I'm pessimistically assuming the worst, though... it would be helpful to know where exactly the bar is, since I guess I'm assuming it to be way way up there.

And I don't know about me being deemed worthy to go... I haven't gotten my call yet (my basis for predicting a date is from my probable date of availability), and I'm still trying to figure out all the paperwork!

When people make these comments, they aren't really expecting you to baptize 10 people your first week there. I can't imagine that anyone is just spectacular straight out of the gates. They say these things to you because they are trying to get you pumped up and make you feel good about yourself. Nobody is going to be dissapointed in you if you can't even find an investegator when you first get there, or if you get lonely or frustrated after a few months. They are just trying to be supportive of you, but a lot of times when friends and family are showing support, it can build pressure and stress.

Yeah, I know, I'm more thinking about long-term success (which of course is relative to the area I'll be called to). The way I look at it, if I don't come into my mission with a high enough level of strength, I'm going to have a really hard time trying to make up for it on my mission.

The church needs you for this mission, but you also need this mission. The church doesn't expect you to be flawless, and your family doesn't either. Just try and take everything one step at a time and do your BEST. Ultimately, the only expectations you need to meet are those of heavenly father, and so long as you give your best efforts and look to him for guidance then he's going to be pleased with your efforts throughout your mission.

Yeah, I suppose that's true. If I do this right, hopefully I'll be a much better person because of my mission.

Anyway, thanks for the perspective. :)

[Maxel]

Hey LittleWyvern-

What to say... Well, I can tell you that if you didn't lie to your bishop about worthiness, and are willing to work in the Lord's vineyard with all your might, mind, and strength; you are more than ready to serve a mission. Any past mistakes you may have made are made clean through the atonement of Christ, whose Gospel you are preparing to preach to others.

May I remind you that some of those prophets you idolize (for good reason!) also felt unworthy?

Isaiah 6:5

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Exodus 3:11

11 ¶ And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Joseph Smith suffered from the same problem of looking at his defects and not his strengths when he was first called to the work (even beforehand):

JS-H 1:23

23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

If the Lord has called you to the harvest, He has qualified you.

D&C 4:5

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

You can do nothing now to change any past mistakes you may have made. Use this time to foster the qualities truly important to a mission- faith, hope, charity, love, and an eye single to the glory of God- and you shall do wonderfully.

[Honor]

Wow LW, I feel like I don't know where to start, but let me fill you in on my reaction to some of the things you said and then tell you about my initial impression of you in general (now probably repeating people's posts since it took so long to write it all).

I feel ashamed.

I feel ashamed for even needing or wanting to type this post.

Bracing myself for a post, confessing some sin that should really be dealt with by speaking to your bishop...

Why? In my quest to be better prepared for my mission, I have started to look for role models, examples of good missionary service. I have found plenty in the scriptures, all a model of absolute perfection in their work, service, and knowledge. I have long since accepted the fact that I will never be that good, but these people are good people to look up to regardless. I recently have also been looking toward those either very close to serving on their mission or already have in my ward. And it scares me how, without fail, all of these people are leagues beyond me in both spiritual strength and knowledge. 'Oh no,' I think, 'I must be horribly behind!'

You need to remember that a call to serve a mission call is extended to those who express a desire to serve, not those who won the Scripture Mastery Challenge. The Lord knows who you are with all of your strengths and weaknesses and knows exactly how to use you as an instrument in accomplishing his work. There will be things that you will be able to do as you faithfully strive to seek his will that even those you look up to would not be able to. YOU + the Lord = an entirely unique combination.

So, my knee-jerk reaction to this is to gather every source of information I can about serving a mission successfully and inhaling them. In what may rightfully be termed as a moment of panic, I bought 3 books on missionary prep at one time from the BYU bookstore (and thank goodness that I can find such books at a bookstore so close by!) I figure that if I am ever to catch up and be successful missionary, I need to cram as spiritual knowledge and strength building activities I can into these 3 short months.

A very admirable reaction to feelings of inadequacy. I'll tell you that my first impulse when I feel like I don't stack up to the tasks of life is sometimes to curl up in a ball and cry instead of to muscle ahead and improve myself. HELLO?! You're awesome!

School work cannot be forgotten, and if I am to keep the scholarship I have received, I need to keep a very good GPA.

As it shouldn't. Your education will impact your future tremendously and is a righteous endeavor. Your mission preparation is also important, but it is not a situation where one wins and the other disappears. There needs to be a healthy balance of both, and you don't have to be Superman to do it.

And to make matters worse, expectations of me are extremely high. Everybody from my home ward kept on saying how I'll be a great missionary, and a wonderful teacher. The most challenging one comes from my dad, who says that I'll be a better missionary than he was. Before he said that, I never thought such thing was even possible, and I still don't think so now.

I hope that you can hear those comments from people and know that they are not saying, "We're going to be watching you Elder, and if you screw up - OH MY GOODNESS you can't imagine the disappointment!" They are saying it trying to calm you - telling you that you already are the type of person that you somehow can't see that you are.

So here I sit, feeling crushed under my mission, school, and expectations for complete success. And so I am afraid. What if I fail? What if I let one... thing... slip.... And the worse one: what if I don't succeed on my mission (and that has some eternal consequences, doesn't it?)? So far I've kept up with these expectations, but with the addition of a mission, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with everything. I have no clue how I'll ever get up to the level of excellence I see everywhere before this 3 months is up.

Are you expecting to be translated before you even get the white envelope? Goodness gracious kid breathe! The fact that you even CARE about this says that you're probably trying your best. Now, I know that the type of person you are doesn't let YOU be the one to say if you're doing your best, but FYI, that's a skewed perspective on humility. Being ok with yourself despite your imperfections is not arrogance. Trust me, I do it to myself all the time. I'm so scared of looking arrogant that I beat myself up. That is NOT what our Heavenly Father wants.

I don't feel like good, prepared missionaries should have to worry about this at all.

If I ever met a 19 year old that said, "I'm more than prepared to serve a mission, I'm not worried." I'd feel like giving him a smack upside the head. Well, no, Heavenly Father does that enough on his own (in his kind and loving way). It's the people who think they're set and good to go that fall victim to complacency and fall flat on their face. Sometimes it's the only way to get them to see the perspective of the world from their knees. Worry can be a good thing - if it moves us to action and we don't let it hold us down. I'd be more worried about not being worried... HAHAHA a circular statement if I've ever seen one!

So, before I ask for advice here, let me first apologize to those of you who've I've made read through this post.

Not making me read or respond here, trust me, you couldn't make me if I didn't want to.

The reason I posted this in the advice board (apart from the fact that there's no whine board) is this: does anybody have any advice for this situation? Anything else on mission prep, feeling more confident (although at this point I don't feel like I have much to be confident in...), or feeling more excited about a mission (and not viewing it another big test) would be very helpful and much appreciated.

Do you think that any of the prophets in the Book of Mormon ever felt the way you do? Please don't think that I'm trying to set the bar for you on par with ancient prophets - but honestly, did any of them feel not worried about a mission because they'd prepared plenty? Most of what I've read when speaking of their strength was all attributed to the power of the Lord that was with them. When speaking entirely of themselves, most of them DID feel inadequate, slow of speech, unlearned, even weak and unworthy. Do you think that any of the church leaders today receive their callings and go, "SWEET! I was SO ready for this like 10 years ago!" Uh no. One of the most touching testimonies I've heard from an Apostle was from James E. Faust and given in the video Special Witness of Christ.

In the Gethsemanes of life which we all have, and often in my present calling I have gone to my knees with a humbled spirit, to the only place I could for help. I often went in agony of spirit, earnestly pleading with God to sustain me in the work, I have come to appreciate more then life itself. I have on occasion felt a terrible aloneness of wounds of the heart, of the sweet agony, the bufferings of Satan, and the encircling warm comfort fo the spirit of the Master. I have also felt the crushing burden, the self doubts of inadequacy and unworthiness, the fleeting feeling of being forsaken and then of being reinforced a hundred fold. I have climbed a spiritual Mount Sinai dozens of times, seeking to communicate and to recieve instructions. It has been as though I have struggled up an almost real Mount of Transfiguration, and upon occasion felt great strength and power in the presence of the divine. A special sacred feeling has been a sustaining influence and often a close companion. As I serve in the calling of the holy apostleship, I recognize that I am a very ordinary man. Yet I gratefully acknowledge one special gift. I have a special knowledge that Jesus of Nazereth is our divine Savior. I know that he lives. I know that through the unspeakable agony of the atonement, men and women, if they repent, can be forgiven of their sins. Because of the miracle of the resurection, all will rise from the dead. I feel his love and marvel at the price he paid for each of us. I wonder how many drops of blood were spilt for me. This is the testimony which I give of Him. ~James E. Faust

Feelings of inadequacy are part of being mortal, but please know that they are not always a true reflection of who we are. Just from how much you worry about this, and the fact that your worry moved you to action, I can see a bit of the type of person you are. I won't say you have nothing to worry about. None of us do. But please know that you are probably doing a much better job than you think you are. Keep that spirit to ALWAYS be improving, and DO NOT let your fears hinder the work that you are doing and will continue to do throughout the rest of your life. If you need to fall, let it be against the Savior. Our Father WILL send peace to those who seek it, regardless of what is swirling around their world. The strength you will need can only come from Him.

Try to remember to see yourself from the perspective of a loving and perfect Heavenly Parent. I cannot imagine looking at my son, righteously struggling under a heavy load and feel anything but love. Can you?

Your mission won't be a test with a pass or fail grade any more than this mortal life is. It's a trial at times, a challenge, a blessing, an experience. We're not judged on who we are when we start. It's all about the finished product and how we got there. Here's a secret - your mission isn't your life. It will be for the next 2 years. But all of the things you're going through now are just small lessons that can be applied on a grander scale to the rest of your life.

I've been impressed by who you are, from what I've read in your other posts. Not specific bits of doctrine you've spouted or your sense of humor that comes through (both are there), but just you. You'll be fine. Just keep at it. It takes work, and I think you're a worker..... (you're not a firstborn, are you?).

I feel like I'm rambling, but I hope you can feel what I've been trying to say. You can do this. Go read your patriarchal blessing again. Personally I find that whenever I do, I feel like Heavenly Father is saying, "Who are you to say what your potential is or who you are. I've told you who you are and can be so quit doubting and hop to." I'd give you a hug and tell you that I love you (in a web board big sister kind of way ). You'll be fine.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Honor

[jadams_4040]

I feel ashamed.

I feel ashamed for even needing or wanting to type this post.

As many of you may have already gleaned from my introductory post, I am going to serve a mission very soon, about 3 months from now. Every time I hear this amount of time, as it quickly shortens, it scares me tremendously.

Why? In my quest to be better prepared for my mission, I have started to look for role models, examples of good missionary service. I have found plenty in the scriptures, all a model of absolute perfection in their work, service, and knowledge. I have long since accepted the fact that I will never be that good, but these people are good people to look up to regardless. I recently have also been looking toward those either very close to serving on their mission or already have in my ward. And it scares me how, without fail, all of these people are leagues beyond me in both spiritual strength and knowledge. 'Oh no,' I think, 'I must be horribly behind!'

So, my knee-jerk reaction to this is to gather every source of information I can about serving a mission successfully and inhaling them. In what may rightfully be termed as a moment of panic, I bought 3 books on missionary prep at one time from the BYU bookstore (and thank goodness that I can find such books at a bookstore so close by!) I figure that if I am ever to catch up and be successful missionary, I need to cram as spiritual knowledge and strength building activities I can into these 3 short months.

But these reading pursuits are thwarted, mostly, by my location. School work cannot be forgotten, and if I am to keep the scholarship I have received, I need to keep a very good GPA.

And to make matters worse, expectations of me are extremely high. Everybody from my home ward kept on saying how I'll be a great missionary, and a wonderful teacher. The most challenging one comes from my dad, who says that I'll be a better missionary than he was. Before he said that, I never thought such thing was even possible, and I still don't think so now.

So here I sit, feeling crushed under my mission, school, and expectations for complete success. And so I am afraid. What if I fail? What if I let one... thing... slip.... And the worse one: what if I don't succeed on my mission (and that has some eternal consequences, doesn't it?)? So far I've kept up with these expectations, but with the addition of a mission, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with everything. I have no clue how I'll ever get up to the level of excellence I see everywhere before this 3 months is up.

Above all, I feel ashamed for even having to worry about how prepared I am at such a late stage. I don't feel like good, prepared missionaries should have to worry about this at all.

So, before I ask for advice here, let me first apologize to those of you who've I've made read through this post. I really didn't want this to be about me whining about my pathetic problems, and I've tried hard not to write it this way, but given the subject matter I'm sure some if not most of you will take it that way (and rightfully so), and I apologize for that.

The reason I posted this in the advice board (apart from the fact that there's no whine board) is this: does anybody have any advice for this situation? Anything else on mission prep, feeling more confident (although at this point I don't feel like I have much to be confident in...), or feeling more excited about a mission (and not viewing it another big test) would be very helpful and much appreciated.

Jeesh! quit worrying; just do all you can do and the spirit will help you accomplish what the lord has for yu to accomplish; I know very good missionaries that only had one or two baptisms total. Its not whats on paper; it may be only one thing you say to one person; or one light you turn on for one family; or maybe one little glimpse of truth you share with someone on your journey; but whatever it is. maybe you will never know about it; so just go with spirit and knowledge, you will be blessed by blessing others.:)

[Dove]

Hey Little Wyvern,

Just so you know, I've refrained from reading other people's posts right now so I can write this one, just for you, without any other influence to change what I would share with you about my mission experience.......I do this out of love and concern for anyone struggling with going on a mission, and you seem to be one of those people, for reasons that, unfortunately I absolutely fulfilled on my mission.....

Little Wyvern (I love that user name, by the way), I rock bottom, out and out, all the way, no doubt about it, from top to bottom, bottom to top, inside out and outside in failed as a missionary and on my mission......I knew God called me to go, that serving a mission was His will for me.....and it nearly destroyed my life, and made oh so difficult the lives of people around me whom I came in contact with as a missionary.

I started out in Seattle Washington. I wasn't getting along with my companions. I was soo stressed out by being there that I developed an eating disorder and lost my health. I became insulin dependent with my diabetes..... I came home on a psychiatric medical leave. I struggled with going back because I still had the eating disorder. I had such a strong spiritual witness about returning that I may as well have seen an angel, it was so strong. I knew it was God's will to return.

So I did......the only thing different this time around was that my eating disorder did not return for the remainder of my mission. Everything else was the same for the most part.....Until I told Heavenly Father to put me with a companion I could get along with or send me home....Within a few days my companion and I fought so badly she hit me while I was yelling at her to get out of the bathroom as I was showering when she came in and opened the shower door to fight with me.....It took that before I finally got a companion I could get along with.

I came home broken and lost. My life hasn't been the same since. It is still a mystery to me as to why the Lord sent me, when He knew how ill prepared I was to serve a mission......my advice next is what I have learned after all these years of struggling with what happened to me as a missionary. I am so happy to know these things now. I hope they serve you well in your mission experience. To me, they are priceless things to have learned. Maybe I could not have learned them any other way......

First, Let go, relax. Focus on loving first and foremost. Loving yourself, and then others as yourself. Go gently and easily......most missionaries are just like you. Scared to death, insecure, unsure of what's going to happen.....Most of the time they are not going to measure up to your expectations......Remember, you are responsible to keep the commandments for yourself. Yes, encourage them to do the same, and report the things that truly need to be reporting, pardon most of the rest, if you can.....Go with the flow. You are going to live with a person you have never met before for 24/7.....their will be background differences, different ways of relating, differences, differences........how difficult it can be.......Focus on building a friendship of love, loyalty to your companion, and sisterhood. I know this sounds crazy, but it's like being married. Be loyal to your companion, support your companion, build her up, not yourself up to her hurt.......but, also beware, there are some companions that can be hurtful. Truly strive to be Christlike, wise as a fox, yet harmless as a dove....

Go about loving people around you.......be aware of the expectations people will place on you with the title of "missionary" on your name badge at all times.....Remember the serenity prayer with these expectations....God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference......Also, you don't answer to all these people, you answer to your Heavenly Father. He knows your best, what He is requiring of you, and He loves you dearly. Don't forget His love, and to love yourself.....Don't focus on the number of baptisms you're getting. IT's not about the numbers.......It's about the people you love into bringing them the opportunity of accepting the restored gospel. Whether they accept it or not is no reflection on you. It is yours to bear witness, testimony, and to let your light so shine......

Lastly, this is a tip I learned by word of mouth as a missionary. The majority of people join the gospel because of a friend or family member.....tracting is the least effective form of proselytizing.....Learn to network with people......it's your best shot at reaching the most people.....

oh, even more lastly....whatever happens, either forgive yourself, or don't vaunt yourself up.....this is the Lord's work, not yours......it's not about your glory or defamation......It's about Him and the manifestation of His will in your life and the lives of people around your. You are simply "along for the ride" in the sense that you are "showing up" because you were called to do so.......Lose yourself in the service of truly loving your God, yourself, and your fellow man, forget about you, if you can. Make it fun. God will then have you find yourself in the end.

Best of wishes

Dove

[georgia2]

Hahahah good missionaries have a sense of humor! A whine board? Yeah I think that's a good idea!

As far as those perfect in the scriptures missionaries, remember they only wrote about the good stuff! They didn't write in detail about the imperfections or failures. Even Nephi thought he was unworthy.

As far as keeping everything going, keeping your scholarship, you need to live one day at a time. Each day do what is the most pressing at that moment. With you working and God blessing, you will not fail. A good missionary is humble. I think that is where you are right now, right? You are not your father, you are not any of the other missionaries you have written about. You have your own life and mission to fulfill. Success is measured in how closely you fulfill what Heavenly Father wants you to do. As long as you stay humble, have a desire to serve, follow missionary rules, and live up to your promises you will be a success. Just as good as any you are comparing yourself to.

[Guest ceeboo]

Hello Littlewyvern, :)

As you may know I am not LDS

I have never been on a mission

I have never seen a missionary

So, I thought I was the perfect guy to respond to your post.

I can offer you this: I have witnessed the way you use your " God given " gifts of communicating on this forum ( To LDS and non LDS ALIKE ). You have greatly contributed ( in a short time here on the forum ) with your knowledge of the LDS faith as well as a unique ability to lend laughter and a warm smile.

I am very confident you will indeed reach the hearts of many you will meet and IMHO will make a great soldier for the Lord.

BTW, your OP is yet another example to me that your upcoming mission service is not only being taken very seriously by you but will indeed touch many out in this broken world.

God bless,

Ceeboo

[LittleWyvern]

...I go to study for 2 hours and I come back to this? I... was not expecting so much of a response. O_o

Firstly I'd really like to thank everyone as deeply as I can convey with 26 letters and an "I'm majoring in Computer Science" vocabulary. I'd really like to respond to all of your posts personally, but that would take until Sunday night probably and I'd probably break the multiquote button... but simply clicking Thanks on everybody's posts seems inadequate (oh dang), so I'll respond to at least something.

I know that I'm going to be perfect before my mission or even 100% prepared (that's what the MTC is for, right?), but I couldn't help seeing other people who were really awesome people that made me feel like I was only 30% or 40% prepared. I realize now that my best is not the same as the best of somebody else, and that hopefully at the judgment bar I won't be held to the exact same "best" standards as everybody else (if it were so, my journey would be hopeless).

And yes, I do need to relax. As for the expectations of me, I'm not too worried about these people being mad at me for not meeting them (I doubt they would), but I'm more of the kind of person that would get mad at himself for not meeting them. I suppose I should just do my best and see what happens.

Finally, thanks for all the tips, scripture references, quotes, and complements(!). Please believe me when I say that if I had more time I would type something here a lot more deserving of the incredible gift you all have given me here.

Oh, and on a humorous but related note, I should tell you all what occupies half of my bookshelf. First there's "Dare to Prepare" book on CD, "The Stress Answer," "Learning by the Light of Faith," "Know Before You Go," "Preparation Precedes Power," "What I Wish I'd Known Before My Mission," "Jesus the Christ" (yes, that Jesus the Christ), "Prepare With Honor," and for reasons not entirely clear I have "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" on the end.

EDIT: Wow, I just realized something! If only I could truthfully say I meant the first word in my topic to be a verb...

Edited February 1, 2009 by LittleWyvern

[Wildflower]

My advice would be to lean on the atonement in all that you do. If you try your best, there will still be shortcomings and failures. The Lord will make up the difference where you fall short. That's what it's all about!

I also love the verses in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. It is something to read everyday and live by. I also like the other translations that substitute the word charity for love. If everyone read that chapter everyday and tried to live by it, this world would be a different place!

[gigi]

I love all the advice so lovingly given you.

Remember this: it's not about you. As everyone has said, it's about the Lord working through you. Don't doubt what He can do, put your trust in the Lord and you'll be just fine.

You'll never know how many prayers will be offered in your behalf. You won't be out there alone!

[Maxel]

Also, for a bit of an ego trip (make sure to deflate it with some humility later)-

You've done an absolutely wonderful job being patient and answering questions on the forums. If you can carry that over into your mission, you'll make a fine missionary.